Eight Players Added To Ireland Squad

Eight players have been drafted into the Ireland squad and added to the matchday 22 that were on duty in the last round of the RBS 6 Nations Championship.

Andrew Trimble returned to competitive action for Ulster at the weekend following his hand injury, and is included in the Ireland squad for this week's preparations ahead of the game against Scotland in Edinburgh.

Tommy Bowe also returned to play for the Ospreys after recovering from the knee injury that has kept him out of the opening two rounds of the Championship. He has been included in the Ireland squad.

Backs Denis Hurley and Gavin Duffy came through unscathed from their provincial games in the Magners League and are named in the squad.

Second rows Mick O'Driscoll and Donnacha Ryan have also been called up as have Tony Buckley, who played for his province after returning from a hip injury, and young back rower Rhys Ruddock.

The Ireland squad will gather in Dublin this evening with the first training session scheduled for Tuesday morning.